Rules/Regulations:

• The deadline to register your house is 4:00 p.m. on October 20th, 2025.
• Judging will take place the evenings of October 22nd & 23rd between the hours of 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
• Judges will be looking at the decorations only and their overall creativity, special effects, lighting, theme, etc.
• First Place winners will be announced in each category.  Each first place winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Downtown OCNJ.
• A First Place winner will be announced in the Ocean City Business Division. The first place winner will receive a free membership to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, or if they are already members, they will receive two free email blasts.
• An overall best decorated house entry for Ocean City will be named. This grand prize winner will receive a $100 Gift Certificate for Downtown OCNJ and prize package from Ocean City, NJ and the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Each entry must also submit a picture of their entry.  This picture will be used for the People's Choice voting...it should be the best picture of your display!
• Pictures of all entries will be posted on Social Media on Friday, October 24th so that the public can vote for the People's Choice Award.  Voting will end Sunday, October 26th. 
• On Monday, October 27th, all participating houses will be listed at www.ocnj.us/Halloweenhouse so residents and visitors can tour the island and view the entries. 
• Decorations cannot cover/interfere with any fire safety equipment or walkways. For the safety of the environment we ask that you not use balloons in your display.
• Decorations/Display must be viewable from the street.
• Individual floor owners of Triplexes/Duplexes may partner together or each floor can do their entry.
• Entries cannot be made up of multiple neighbor structures or homes.
• Winners will be announced by 2 p.m. on Monday, October 27th via www.ocnj.us and social media.
• City representatives will drop off yard signs for winners to display on their property.
• Participants give permission for their home to be photographed and their address to be listed on Ocean City, NJ social media outlets and official websites.
• Participants agree to hold harmless the City of Ocean City for any incidents or accidents that may occur, directly or indirectly, as a result of the Halloween House Decorating Contest.
• Participants understand that the decision of the judges is final.
• Questions contact the Community Services Department at events@ocnj.us or 609-399-6111

Categories include:  Best Commercial (Commercial Display), Most Spooktacular (scary, creepy and screaming Halloween, etc), Most Light (Does your house shine like the great pumpkin?!'), Best Use of Technology (Lights, fog machines, sounds, etc!)  All entries will be entered into the People's Choice Award contest were the winner will be picked by which entry gets the most likes on the Ocean City Vacation Facebook Page!